All set for opening weekend at Bourne Outdoor Pool

Volunteers at Bourne Outdoor Pool are keeping their fingers crossed for sunshine ahead of this year’s opening day on Saturday.

The dedicated team has been working hard to get the pool on the Abbey Lawns ready to open for the summer.

The 50-yard pool has to be repainted by hand every year, and the charity that runs it relies on the generous help of volunteers from the community.

But the hard work is almost done and the team hope to welcome plenty of swimmers from 10.30am on Saturday.

Chairman of Bourne Outdoor Pool Preservation Trust Mandy Delaine-Smith said: “It would be nice to get a big crowd, although it all depends on the weather.”

She added: “The pool looks absolutely fantastic. I’m very proud. We’ve got some fantastic volunteers and they have really worked hard to get everything looking so good.”

The trust relies on donations and volunteer help to keep the pool open and running every year. This year will be the 26th season that is has operated under voluntary control.

Mandy said: “We paint the pool every year which is a massive job, and it has to be hand-painted. We’ve had some interest on Facebook this year and we have had quite a lot of new helpers which has been great.”

The heated pool will be open 12.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.30am to 6.30pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission is £4.50 for adults, £3 for children in full-time education and £1 for children under three.